ABSTRACT
Introduction: Periosteal releasing incision (PRI) is nearly always essential to advance the flap sufficiently for a tension-free flap closure in bone augmentation procedures. However, hematoma, swelling, and pain are recognized as the main consequences of PRI with scalpel. The aim of this case series was to investigate the effectiveness of laser-assisted PRI in guided bone regeneration (GBR) procedure. In addition, postoperative hematoma, swelling, and pain and implant success were assessed. Methods: Seventeen patients needed GBR were included in this study. Diode laser (940 nm, 2 W, pulse interval: 1 ms, pulse length: 1 ms, contact mode, 400-µm fiber tip) was used in a contact mode to cut the periosteum to create a tension-free flap. Facial hematoma, swelling, pain, and the number of consumed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were measured for the six postoperative days. Six months after implant loading, implant success was evaluated. Results: Minimal bleeding was encountered during the procedure. A tension-free primary closure of the flap was achieved in all cases. The clinical healing of the surgical area was uneventful. None of the patients experienced hematoma, ecchymosis, or intense swelling after surgery. The mean value of maximum pain (visual analogue scale - VAS) was 20.59 ± 12.10 mm (mild pain). Patients did not need to use NSAID after four postoperative days. All implants were successful and functional and none of them failed after 6 months of implant loading. Conclusion: This study revealed the effectiveness of laser-assisted PRI in GBR procedure. This technique was accompanied with minimal sequelae at the first postoperative week. All implants were successful and no complication was noted during the course of this study.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Bone assessment is essential for diagnosis, treatment planning and prediction of prognosis of periodontal diseases. However, two-dimensional radiographic techniques have multiple limitations, mainly addressed by the introduction of three-dimensional imaging techniques such as cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). This study aimed to assess the accuracy of CBCT for detection of marginal bone loss in patients receiving dental implants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A study of diagnostic test accuracy was designed and 38 teeth from candidates for dental implant treatment were selected. On CBCT scans, the amount of bone resorption in the buccal, lingual/palatal, mesial and distal surfaces was determined by measuring the distance from the cementoenamel junction to the alveolar crest (normal group: 0-1.5mm, mild bone loss: 1.6-3mm, moderate bone loss: 3.1-4.5mm and severe bone loss: >4.5mm). During the surgical phase, bone loss was measured at the same sites using a periodontal probe. The values were then compared by McNemar's test. RESULTS: In the buccal, lingual/palatal, mesial and distal surfaces, no significant difference was observed between the values obtained using CBCT and the surgical method. The correlation between CBCT and surgical method was mainly based on the estimation of the degree of bone resorption. CBCT was capable of showing various levels of resorption in all surfaces with high sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value compared to the surgical method. CONCLUSION: CBCT enables accurate measurement of bone loss comparable to surgical exploration and can be used for diagnosis of bone defects in periodontal diseases in clinical settings.
